After the article spread through various drama community forums.
“Sorry, Tae-ha. I was careless.”
A call of apology came straight away from Han Yunseong.
Han Yunseong’s apology carried not only remorse, but also embarrassment that could not be hidden.
Tae-ha responded to the apology.
“It’s fine, hyung. It’s not like you did it on purpose.”
Just as Tae-ha said.
This was an accident.
It happened while rushing through the hectic schedule of drama promotions.
From the beginning, Han Yunseong hadn’t even planned to mention Tae-ha.
The spark was a question that came up during an interview with the press for drama promotion.
[ succeeded, and as a lead actor, you’ve firmly established your position, Han Yunseong-nim. Many people are curious about why you chose a work by a rookie writer. Could you possibly answer?]
Han Yunseong, like the veteran actor he was, nodded calmly and opened his mouth to reply.
[It’s probably the same for most actors, but when I choose a project, of course the top priority is whether the script is interesting. was the same. As soon as I read the script, I thought, ‘I absolutely have to do this one.’ So, I chose this work. I didn’t even consider the rookie writer’s reputation. After all, it’s not like I was born into my current position either.]
Had he stopped there, Han Yunseong’s interview would have been flawless.
But in that moment, Han Yunseong was reminded of something, and added a comment.
[Of course, there’s a part I feel a bit regretful about with the writer. To be honest, our writer is busy juggling two jobs. Hahaha.]
There was no particular reason for saying this.
He just wanted to do a sort of ice-breaking.
Perhaps for that reason, the reporter conducting the interview just laughed it off.
However,
[Actor Han Yunseong of , says ‘Main writer not fully devoted to primary job—disappointing’]
The reporter used a headline like this for the article.
The problem didn’t even end there.
Maybe the provocative headline was like blood in the water, because articles with similar titles started pouring out.
[Why you should pay attention to Han Yunseong’s criticism of the main writer’s side job]
[Han Yunseong returns with new drama—why did he criticize the main writer?]
[Main writer’s two-job controversy? The much-anticipated faces an unexpected setback]
[Is the rookie writer of struggling to make ends meet? Just how low is the manuscript fee per episode?]
[The rookie writer of who became famous for controversy, Kang Tae-ha… Will he be alright like this?]
[‘Communication with the writer was difficult,’ Han Yunseong’s candid confession about ]
Some of these articles even contained exaggerated and unverified information.
But these articles were enough to capture the public’s attention.
It was inevitable, given that the headlines were brimming with topics to fire up the imagination.
There weren’t many buzzworthy dramas being released lately, so the attention was receiving was even more decisive in fueling the flames.
– Two jobs? For a rookie?
– Isn’t that just too irresponsible;
– But surely the company allowed him to take a side job and write the drama, right?
– Does the Virus writer have a day job?
– Someone claiming to be Virus writer’s acquaintance already posted on a community
– Smells fishy.
– Is that your philtrum that stinks?
– If even easygoing Han Yunseong is criticizing the writer, there must really have been some issue
– He’s a rookie, would he really have dared to do anything to Han Yunseong
– If he’s from the MZ generation, who knows
– Oh, here we go again with “everything is MZ’s fault”
– As a rookie, he should be focusing on one thing at a time, not juggling two jobs
– So what, should he just starve to death? If times are hard, you gotta take another job
– By the way, the name Kang Tae-ha keeps popping up lately
– Isn’t that the same name as Kang Tae-ha from the news?
– What, lol, so is he acting and writing dramas at the same time?
– Oh, if that’s the two jobs, then I get it
– Either way, Virus is off to a bad start—controversy even before the first episode
– Han Yunseong doesn’t really suit a proper thriller anyway
– Yeah, Han Yunseong is perfect as the younger male lead… can’t he do another one of those?
– Doesn’t suit him? He did great in Critical Point too
– Honestly, he was amazing in Critical Point
Almost no one realized that Tae-ha was the rookie writer of .
He was mentioned briefly, but that was all.
It seemed like no one really thought that Tae-ha was “that” Tae-ha.
But it wasn’t possible to just let this incident slide.
Han Yunseong’s interview had been twisted so thoroughly that now the public believed there really was discord between the actor and the writer.
Somehow, the mood had to be turned around.
Apparently Han Yunseong thought the same, as he brought up the subject.
“We’ve already released a statement on our side. That there’s no discord with the writer, and that the interview wasn’t conducted in a critical tone. But… public opinion just isn’t budging.”
It wasn’t just a statement.
Han Yunseong, through his agency, had the reporter who’d written the first provocative headline issue a correction.
The best effort possible.
Yet despite all these efforts, the atmosphere didn’t change.
The public was already believing the story they wanted to believe.
Other reporters were continuing to pump out baseless articles just for the clicks, so the result was inevitable.
In the end, there was only one way to flip the situation.
“I’ll have to reveal that I’m the rookie writer of .”
Certainly, such a revelation was enough to turn the current atmosphere completely on its head.
For an actor like Tae-ha, who had risen rapidly to a leading role, to also be about to debut as a drama writer, was a story sure to cause a stir.
Even more so, if it became known that Han Yunseong was starring in the drama and that he and Tae-ha first worked together as supporting and lead in , the mood would definitely shift.
But Tae-ha didn’t really want things to play out like that.
At the very least, he wanted all the facts to be revealed only after a few episodes of had aired, and he had been recognized to some degree as a drama writer.
That way, Tae-ha the actor, and Tae-ha the writer, could both be properly acknowledged.
And only then could he expect synergy from the two paths.
“However, in this situation, it’s impossible to keep my identity hidden for the sake of that. At this rate, itself could be shunned by the public even before it gets a chance.”
There was no other choice.
That was why Han Yunseong felt so apologetic toward Tae-ha.
Han Yunseong knew exactly why Tae-ha wanted to hide his role as the writer of until at least some public reaction was out.
But because of him, that was no longer possible—so it was only natural for him to feel sorry.
“The situation isn’t unfolding as I’d hoped, but it’s not the worst. There’s always a way to get through a crisis.”
In fact, it might not be such a bad thing for Tae-ha’s identity to be revealed at this timing.
If anything, it would generate some publicity.
“If in the end is recognized as a great work, I’ll still get the synergy I was hoping for.”
With that thought, Tae-ha wrapped up the call, soothing Han Yunseong.
And as soon as he hung up, another call came in.
Amazingly, it was Goh Seokjun, the CEO of Sa 1 Entertainment.
“Yes, hello?”
– Actor-nim. It’s me, Goh Seokjun. I heard from Manager Im. Are you all right?
Tae-ha could roughly guess why Goh Seokjun was calling.
He probably wanted to check if Tae-ha was mentally stressed over the recent incident, and to comfort him.
Even though Sa 1 Entertainment wasn’t a big company, it was quite considerate of him as the CEO to care so much.
Honestly, he could have just left matters like this to Manager Im Chan and kept his distance.
But Goh Seokjun didn’t do that, and so Tae-ha realized—
Just how much Goh Seokjun valued and cared for him.
Grateful for this, Tae-ha opened his mouth.
“I’m fine. I already had a good talk with Yunseong-hyung. But to resolve this, I think I’ll need to reveal that I’m the rookie writer of . Is that all right?”
Goh Seokjun’s reply was cheerful.
– Of course. In fact, I was just about to suggest resolving it that way myself. As I mentioned before, although it’s a shame might not get a pure evaluation, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
In fact, Goh Seokjun had recommended that Tae-ha reveal his identity as the writer of during its promotional period.
He believed it would help with promotion.
Thinking about it this way, revealing that Tae-ha was “that” Tae-ha wasn’t really a big problem.
If anything, if it helped, then it helped.
“Yes. Then please issue a press release to let people know that I’m the rookie writer of .”
– Of course. But… what if we do it like this instead?
“How so?”
– Uh…
After that, Goh Seokjun explained his plan.
And Tae-ha had no choice but to accept the proposal.
If they were going to promote it, it would be better to go all out.
***
A few days later.
On the set of the tvM variety program .
Tae-ha was sitting as a guest next to Han Yunseong.
And Boom Bam, the main MC of , asked a question.
“Yunseong-ssi, is there a particular reason you’ve joined us on today? Please do a bit of promotion for the new drama airing on \/1/!”
Han Yunseong, who had regained his composure for promotional activities, smiled with ease and answered.
“The drama is a true thriller about Han Seoyul, the main character who was a new drug development researcher, returning to the present in a world that’s become a Zombie Apocalypse, and struggling to catch the criminal who spread the zombie virus.”
“Oh, and you play Han Seoyul, right? Is that correct?”
“Yes. I’m Han Seoyul.”
“What Han clan are you? How many generations back?”
“Well, I’m the 27th generation of the Cheongju Han Clan’s Chungseong Gongpa branch… but I’m not sure about Han Seoyul.”
“Is it perhaps ‘Cruel Han’? Cruel Han ~ Woman ~ Don’t curse me ~”
“Ah… well, should we go with Cruel Han then?”
Han Yunseong awkwardly played along with Boom Bam’s joke.
Suddenly, criticisms erupted from all around.
“Is that the level of this interview? I’m embarrassed just watching,” and similar reactions.
Boom Bam’s ears turned red, and he quickly apologized to Han Yunseong.
“Sorry, Yunseong-ssi.”
He then hurriedly turned his head to Tae-ha, seated beside Han Yunseong, and shifted the topic.
“What about you, Tae-ha? What role do you play? I don’t think I saw you in the teaser.”
Successful topic shift by Boom Bam.
The panelists of whispered among themselves at Boom Bam’s question.
“That’s true. I didn’t see Tae-ha either.”
“What role does he play? Is he a zombie?”
“Tae-ha, a zombie? There’s no way they’d hide that face under zombie makeup.”
“Exactly. Apologize to Tae-ha. Zombies are for people like you.”
“People like me? Maybe so… but seriously, what’s your role, Tae-ha?”
MMA-fighter-turned-celebrity Kwak Dongyeon asked, and Tae-ha responded with a gentle smile.
“Ah, I’m not appearing in .”
“Huh? Then why are you here today…?”
“I’m here today to promote as its writer.”
As soon as Tae-ha finished speaking, the studio was thrown into shock.
The fact that Tae-ha was the writer at the center of the recent controversy over —
And that fact was revealed in an unexpected place, at an unexpected moment.